Flexibo | Fællestegnestuen
Denmark | 1976 | soft form
| Address: | Følfodvej, Amager, Copenhagen |
| Work Type: | new built |
| Number of Storeys: | 1- to 2-storey |
| Type of Building: | terrace |
| Number of Units: | 68 |
Description
The sixty-eight one- and two-storey dwellings, designed by Fællestegnestuen for Copenhagen’s Public Housing Association (KAB), were partially designed and often also partially built by the residents. Whilst the basic frame of the building, which consists of prefabricated components of concrete and laminated timber, cannot be altered (apart from adding smaller parts such as a pergola), the interior is based on a modular wall system, which can be changed, adjusted or reconfigured by a building's inhabitants.
The architects drawings clearly show the principle of layers in the design. Parallel walls of concrete provide the dividing perimeters of each house. After these walls are placed, flooring elements are laid on concrete joists and roof and deck elements on timber beams. The facades are closed with light elements. Bathrooms and kitchens are placed along one of the partitions as the only fixed elements. Subsequently, internal partition walls can be laid out. These partitions consist of two types of wall elements of 1 metre and 0.45 metre, a door element of 1 metre, cover board, guide strips, and assembly fittings. Within the given modular grid system, determined by the rhythm of the laminated timber beams as well as some further guides, rooms can be formed at will. Additional pieces of wall can be acquired from a central wall depot. Whilst flexibility in the Flexibo scheme is implemented at the project stage, it is also possible after occupation and when somebody else moves into the house. The construction system allows walls to be moved around very easily, so any layout can be adapted to different needs and requirements at any point in time. A study after 3 years of completion showed that various residents had changed the position of doors, added additional rooms and altered room sizes.References
Duelund Mortensen, P., H. G. Welling, M. Livø, K. Utoft Christensen, and L. Wiell, 'Dwellings Defined by Situations - Dwellings Suitable for Changing Life Conditions', in Housing in Europe: New Challenges and Innovations in Tomorrow's Cities, Reykjavik, 2005.
'Flexibo, Amager : Arkitekter: Fællestegnestuen, with Viggo Møller-Jensen, Tyge Arnfred and Jørn Ole Sørensen.' Arkitektur DK, 23, 1979, pp. 232-39.